ABOUT US

Meet our amazing team

Our people...

Craig Clark

Operations Manager

Hi I’m Craig and I am the Operations Manager. I have worked in Social Care for over 30 years, in various roles and I am a HCPC registered Social Work Manager. My many roles at Community Solutions include managing our beautiful building, Elmfield Hall and over 16 weekly social groups! One of the best things about this job is the people I meet and the difference our work makes in their lives. I am married to Deborah, we have 3 children and 1 grandchild. I am a keen runner, loving nothing better than getting my trainers on and getting in the fresh air. I am a Accrington Stanley fan and love all sport including athletics, cycling and football.

Deborah Clark

Chief Executive

Hi, I’m Deborah. I am the founder of Community Solutions. Having over 25 years’ experience in health, social care, community and faith sectors I finally found the ideal job that keeps my interest! I love seeing the positive impact our organisation has on the lives of local people. My job is one of the most varied I have ever had. There is never a dull moment and I am never bored! I am married to Craig and we have three amazing girls and one very cute Granddaughter. I relax by reading, going to the gym and walking my Patterdale terrier, Jess.

Teyyibah Qureshi

Finance Officer

I am Teyyibah and I look after the finances at Community Solutions. My job is amazingly flexible and being in a team that care about me and what is going on in my life is brilliant. I love being a part of something that makes a huge difference in people’s lives and we are all about people and supporting their needs.

Mary Shaw

Senior Coordinator

I’m Mary. My role as Senior Coordinator involves supporting the Management Team, managing referrals for support and overseeing applications for volunteering. I absolutely love my job. It is varied and interesting and no two days are the same. The most rewarding part of my job, is meeting the people we work with and being entrusted to make a difference in their lives. By nature I am a very organised person, but I have a more daring side and have competed two sky dives.

Carl Howarth

Operations Coordinator

I’m Carl and I’m the Operations Coordinator. My main role is managing the database and producing reports for the management team and funders. I originally came to Community Solutions as a volunteer. I volunteered for about 12 months, before I was taken on as a full-time member of staff. Since then I’ve taken a year off, where I spent a few months in Turkey. My time at Community Solutions has seen me in various roles and in each of them I’ve seen the different ways in which we support people. Watching the positive change in the people who walk through our door each day is what makes my job worthwhile.

Mark Roberts

Employability Coach

I am Mark, the Employability Coach at Community Solutions. As part of my role I develop our Training Program, supporting individuals who are most at risk of exclusion from the labour market. I enjoy this role as we give people a chance to improve their lives. I have a BA Hons Degree in Business and have been in adult education and community development for over 20 years.

Louis Flynn

Operations Coordinator

I am Louis and I’m the Operations Coordinator at Community Solutions. I am responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of the reception and corporate event preparations. I also assit with catering and marketing. I enjoy being a part of a team with an ever-changing, forward-thinking approach to supporting local people. This gives me the opportunity to help make a difference in people’s lives. I have a wide range of interests and hobbies that have taken me to some amazing places. I have a keen interest in nature and the outdoors, alongside being an avid motorsport enthusiast.

Maggie Moody

Projects Manager

I am Maggie and I am the Project’s Manager at Community Solutions. I have worked in environmental, community and wellbeing projects for many years. My role involves me in all aspects of the organisation, helping people who are experiencing life change. It’s great to be able to see the difference we make to people facing huge challenges. It’s humbling and rewarding in equal measure. I am lucky to be involved with such a fantastic team, working hard, but laughing and learning. I am married to Paul and have a son, Louis. In my spare time I am renovating an old house. I love the outdoors and am a regular at the gym, but you’re just as likely to find me with my nose in a book.

Debbie McCamon

Support Solutions Coordinator

I am Deborah, Community Solutions Support Solutions Coordinator (bit of a mouthful). I work with some of our more complex cases and run a community support drop in each week at Elmfield Hall. I love my role and really enjoy working with vulnerable people in our community. I find it very rewarding and satisfying. It is such a good feeling knowing that you have been a part of making a difference in someone’s life. I have been told I have a natural ability to make people feel at ease.

Leane Riley

Family Solutions Coordinator

I am Leanne, the Family Support Coordinator at Community Solutions. I also coordinator the many social groups that we facilitate each week. What I enjoy most about my job is the satisfaction I get out of seeing a person I have met over several weeks, looking happier and more confident. You know it is with our support and help. I have been in remission from leukaemia for over 12 years. 4 years ago I graduated from University with a BA Hons, having left school without good grades.

Jane Fowler

Project Assistant

I am Jane. I am married and have two girls. They are a huge support and I couldn’t get anywhere without them. I am the Project Assistant at Community Solutions and I love every minute of it. I work with a wonderful team, who go all out for people. I have worked within my local community for over 14 years as a home help, which I still do part time alongside my role at Community Solutions. I once did a sponsored line dance around Ewood Park, the home of Blackburn Rovers!

Richard Cullen

Facilities Coordinator

I’m Richard, the Facilities Coordinator. My previous work was in Social Housing, working in various Local Authorities for 32 years. Prior to this I worked in the building industry as a painter and decorator. I had my own painting and decorating business which I thoroughly enjoyed. I love working at Elmfield Hall, looking after such an old, listed building with such a rich history. I am married with grown up children and 3 grandchildren. I enjoy walking, history and archaeology. I used to enjoy karate and once captained the New Zealand team at the National Championships.

Jamye-lea Riley

Catering Coordinator

I’m Jamye-lea, I recently graduated from university, with a passion for all things creative. Mr Gatty’s is such a welcoming environment, with a ray of smiley faces. We are so lucky to be based in Elmfield Hall. I really love working here because everyday is a new one and you are never quite sure who’s going to walk through the door.

Paul Counsell

Development Director

I am Paul. I am the Development Director and a Community Solutions Board Member. An engineer by trade, with operational management experience, I have also spent many years as a leader of a local church. I facilitate the backroom logistics, enpowering our team to help people and fulfil our mission. I am married with three children and am a keen and active grandad! I love classic cars, am an environmentalist and enjoy the outdoors.

Elaine Clarke

Trainer

I am Elaine and I am a Community Trainer. I write and deliver courses to help individuals to become more self-aware and as a result find strategies and solutions to their lifestyle and health problems. We help people to see a different story about who they can be. Our professional courses help attendees to support the individuals they work with daily. I am a people person and find this work such a privilege. I learn from the learners.

Amanda Wingfield

Trainer

I’m Amanda and I am a Community Trainer at Community Solutions. Every day I am privileged to have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, encouraging them and giving them a sense of purpose and value. I have a passion to help abolish modern slavery by delivering a tailored awareness course. I love to sing and I’m in a worship band as a backing vocalist.

Reuben Wingfield

Marketing Apprentice

I’m Reuben, I am the Marketing Apprentice at Community Solutions. My job involves helping to design our marketing material, looking after our social media posts and researching new promotional opportunities. It also includes taking part in our social groups and helping our participants and volunteers learn more about digital media. I enjoy every second of it. Community Solutions is an amazing place to work.

Elaine Metcalfe

Catering Supervisor

I’m Elaine and I am the Catering Supervisor in Mr Gatty’s Tea Room. My passion is baking and I owned my own café for a little while. In my job I get to meet so many lovely people and provide them with lots of smiles, to make them feel at home. Community Solutions is a lovely place to work.

Liz Johnston

Catering Coordinator

I am Liz and I am one of the Catering Coordinators in Mr Gatty's Tea Room. In my spare time I love to swim and I volunteer for Accrington Theatre Group. I love my job as it has lots of variety and I get to meet so many lovely people, from all walks of life, every single day. There is such a great atmosphere in the tea room.

Our volunteers

Our volunteers are our biggest asset. Without them we couldn’t do what we do. Volunteering roles fit in with lifestyle commitments and help those involved achieve their full potential. We offer full training, additional course opportunities and regular, ongoing support. Each week we support our local community, positively impacting the lives of the individuals we are privileged to meet. If you’re interested in helping the community, looking for experience to help further your career or wish to increase social opportunities, volunteering is for you.